Grammar and e-learning for Communication (GEL.com) Project

NET Section, CDI
Grammar and e-learning for Communication (GEL.com)
This project:
 was launched initially with a view to encouraging
participating schools to parallel the current
educational trend of e-learning;
 aims to develop school-based grammar
learning programmes at KS2; and
 promotes e-learning for enhancing the overall
English language competence of students
for real-life communication.
In this third year of implementation, it is expected that
through GEL.com:
 students’ motivation and capacity to use grammar for communication will
be strengthened through engaging and interactive activities that involve the
integration of the four language skills and the use of e-tools and resources;
 students will learn at their own pace while being given the opportunities to
closely collaborate and actively communicate with their learning partners;
 teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and skills relating to the design and use of
e-Learning tools and resources for the learning, teaching and assessment of
grammar and communicative competence at the upper primary level will be
enhanced; and
 a good range of pedagogical strategies will be identified to exploit the
potential of e-Learning tools and resources to support the development of
students’ grammar competence for communication.
What is e-learning?
“We will call e-learning all forms of electronic supported
learning and teaching, which are procedural in character and
aim to effect the construction of knowledge with reference to
individual experience, practice and knowledge of the learner.”
The Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 2004
What is e-learning in the GEL project?
We envisage that:
 teachers and the GEL.com team will use existing software,
hardware and/or develop their own resources;
 the resources will be developed in conjunction with the school’s
English Language curriculum;
 students will interact with the designed programme; and
 students can learn at their own pace.
Information technology for interactive learning:
 enhances learners’ motivation and language skills
through a process that allows immediate feedback;
 allows learners to take charge of their learning at a pace
that suits their ability level;
 encourages learners to become critically active users of
English; and
 engages learners in interactive and/or collaborative
work.
Adapted from ELCG 2004 p. 105-6
Proposed GEL project approach
The e-learning activities could be embedded within text
types or themes which:
- allow for authentic communication;
- are readily available on the internet;
- focus students’ learning in line with their GE programme/
textbook themes/ grammar structures being taught; and
- encourage the use of the four language skills through
interactive activities.
Grammar in GEL.com:
 The grammar items selected for use in the project will be
based on the school’s General English programme/ textbook.
 The selected grammar items will be taught in context.
 The items will be taught and practised in a logical continuum:
- focusing on the structure, formation and meaning of an
item;
- practising with some attention to meaning rather than
communicating new messages;
- practising in a context where it communicates new
information; and
- communicating in situations which elicit the pre-learnt
item.
Implementing the project
Within the GEL project, the Seed school/s will work towards:
 developing meaningful e-learning tasks to support the learning
of grammar in context;
 using knowledge gained in these tasks for real-world
communication; and
 developing methods of assessment to gauge the effectiveness
of e-learning activities in enhancing communication.
The Seed school is expected to:
 nominate
an experienced and committed
Teacher to liaise with the NET Section for a year;
Coordinating
 provide strong and stable internet and intranet access including
wi-fi;
 provide a computer room with an upgraded system (including
technical support) and sufficient hardware to cater for every
class;
 identify a year level in KS2 for the GEL project;
 deploy the NET to that particular year level;
 allocate at least one hour per week for a collaborative planning
meeting for all project teachers;
 allocate 45 - 60 minutes of lesson time per week to the project
(some double lesson time is preferable);
 support data collection, e.g. classroom observation, video
recordings of GEL lessons/tasks, interviewing students/teachers;
and
 share with other schools their experiences in conducting the
project.
Coordinating Teacher (CT)
The CT is expected to:
 collaborate with ATs in the NET Section to develop,
evaluate and implement e-learning programmes;
 participate in professional development programmes
on relevant topics;
 coordinate
the planning, implementation and
evaluation of the GEL project in the school in liaison
with the NET Section;
 take
the leading role in collaborative
meetings for the GEL project in the school;
planning
 develop, teach and evaluate GEL tasks with project
teachers within their own schools; and
 share good practices with other schools.
The Role of the NET
The NET is expected to play a role by :

teaching and/or participating in the school’s collaborative
planning in the GEL grade level;

supporting the Coordinating Teacher in developing and
using e-learning materials and activities; and

supporting data collection and assisting in the
dissemination of good practices from the GEL project.
Project Proposal
Education Bureau Circular Memorandum
NO. 7/2014
Curriculum Interface, Self-directed Learning and e-learning 2014
Project title: Grammar and e-learning for Communication
(GEL.com)
Project code: NT 0114
Section: Native-speaking English Teacher Section,
Curriculum Development Institute
Fill in Appendix C (pages 50/51 of the above Circular)
Deadline for Application:
Friday 28 February 2014
Enquiries
Ms Teresa Chu
Assistant Project Manager (2)
Tel: 3549 8336 Fax: 3549 8378
E-mail: [email protected]